Our prediction for this Primera Division match:
Real Sociedad
Match Time & Date:
28/08/2024
21:30
Prediction: 1-0
Alaves
Real Sociedad will be aiming to build on a hard-fought 1-0 win over Espanyol when they take on Deportivo Alaves on Matchday 3. La Real proved their worth in Saturday’s clash and, no doubt, Kubo’s goal gave them a confidence boost. There are no fresh injury worries in the home team, but all Igor Zubeldia, Alvaro Odriozola, Arsen Zakharyan, and Kieran Tierney remain in the recovery room.
Deportivo Alaves, on the other hand, head into the Basque derby following a goalless draw with Real Betis. As Luis Garcia Plaza’s men have suffered three defeats in the previous four meetings with Real Sociedad in San Sebastian, home win should be considered. To make things even worse for the away team, Serbia defender Aleksandar Sedlar is banned for the match following his sending-off in the draw with los Beticos. Summer signing Stoichkov should keep his place up front, alongside Kike Garcia.
Highlighted Player (Mikel Oyarzabal):
Intelligence is not an attribute you will find in Mikel Oyarzabal’s stats with Real Sociedad but this tricky winger is a highly knowledgeable winger who will use both brain and feet while playing. For a player born in Eibar, who made his first steps in his hometown club, it was always going to be a choice between Athletic Bilbao and Real Sociedad for Oyarzabal.
La Real saw their chance and grabbed this gem of a player at a young age, helping him develop into a proper professional throughout their youth ranks. Mikel Oyarzabal has spent the entirety of his senior career with the Basque behemoths where he’d use his ability to fill in a number of positions up top much to his own benefit.
Oyarzabal’s positioning and movement are work of a tactical genius, whereas it is his nous to find details to exploit that best define him as a player. Having come through the youth categories of the Spanish national team, Oyarzabal also has a senior cap next to his name. It was in 2016 that he also represented the Basque region, scoring on his debut to cap a 3-1 win over Tunisia.
Highlighted Team (Alaves):
Alaves is a Spanish football club located in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Alava. The club were founded in 1921 and they play their home games at Estadio Mendizorrotza. The capacity of the stadium is 19,840 and it has to be noted that it is the third oldest stadium in Spanish football. After spending several years in the Spanish Segunda Division, los Babazorros returned to the top flight in 2016.
The color of Alaves’ home kit is blue and white and the club’s local rivals are fellow Basque sides Real Sociedad, Athletic Club, Osasuna and Eibar. Alaves made it to the UEFA CUP final in 2001, but they were beaten by Liverpool 5-4 in a thrilling football clash. Anyhow, that is still regarded as the club’s biggest success. Los Babazorros booked their place in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals on four occasions and they have yet to win the Primera Division trophy.
Brighton
Southampton
Barcelona
Las Palmas 
Crystal Palace
Newcastle 
Borussia Dortmund 
Bayern Munich 
West Ham
Arsenal
Chelsea 
Aston Villa 
